Most of us have seen The Sound of Music at least once. And of those that did, most of us were captivated by the story and the music.
But the story of the von Trapps was so much more complicated than a musical could ever possibly portray. And this caused matriarch, Maria to send a letter that caused a stir and brought to light the true story behind the Von Trapp Family Singers.
In this homage to a beloved story, Michelle Moran paints a picture that you won’t easily forget.
Overview
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: July 30th, 2024
In 1959, Fran Connelly, assistant to the famed Oscar Hammerstein watches as Rodger and Hammerstein’s latest musical, The Sound of Music, comes to life. But when the real Maria von Trapp takes issue with the changes made to her family’s story, Fran is sent to find out why.
As Fran begins to spend time with Maria, she discovers a complicated woman and a heartbreaking and beautiful story.
My Thoughts on Maria
The Sound of Music is one of my all-time favorite musicals so I was so excited to read this book.
Maria is told from both the perspectives of Fran in the 1950’s and Maria herself from the 1910’s through the 1930’s. Moran did an excellent job of handling both of these timelines in a seamless and engaging way.
I enjoyed getting to see how Maria became the woman we all love. Moran shows us that Maria was more than a singing governess. She had flaws and her life was often difficult, but she persevered through it.
Fran, while not a real person, was actually my favorite character in this book. I loved her personality and her spirit throughout the story. She had so much depth that she felt realistic.
There were mentions of abuse and some short non-graphic scenes involving it. There were also mentions of mental illness. In one scene Maria and the Captain “undress” and kiss, but nothing further happens. (Which was completely unnecessary, and I was not a fan of that part. )
Overall, this book is one to read if you love The Sound of Music.
Final Thoughts and Rating
The central theme of Maria is hope. Life may not always have a rose-colored sheen, but we can learn from Maria to follow whatever we are called to do.
Rating: 4 out 5 stars
(I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.)
